A Detroit mother has been charged with murder after allegedly smothering and choking her 9-year-old son to death, burying him in a shallow grave, and fleeing the state, prosecutors announced on February 5. Brandee Katrice Pierce, 41, faces several serious charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, first-degree child abuse, evidence tampering, and concealing the death of an individual. If convicted of the top charge, Pierce could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, human remains were discovered on January 6, 2025, in a shallow grave behind a home on Woodingham Drive in Detroit. The discovery was made when the landlord was preparing the property for a new tenant and called police after noticing what appeared to be a foot sticking out of the ground. Police arrived and confirmed that the remains belonged to 9-year-old Zemar King III, reported by KPTV.
Authorities believe that Zemar was killed in October 2024. An autopsy determined that his cause of death was “smothering and neck compression,” confirming the horrific nature of his death. Pierce allegedly bound her son’s hands and feet together before burying his body in the backyard of the home she had rented.
By November 6, Pierce had reportedly fled the Detroit home, taking her 3-year-old son with her. She moved to Cobb County, Georgia, where she lived until authorities caught up with her. Pierce’s whereabouts were unknown until December 20, when the Brookhaven Police Department in Georgia made contact with her over unrelated allegations. The authorities in Georgia notified Detroit officials, and on January 10, Pierce was taken into custody.
Worthy expressed her shock and disgust over the case, saying, “I have been a prosecutor for a long time, and I often say that I have seen it all. The horrors of this child abuse case defy that. The alleged actions of this defendant are among the most callous I have seen and hope never to see again.”
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s office is now working to have Pierce extradited back to Michigan to stand trial for Zemar’s death. Information about her legal representation was not available at the time of the report. Pierce is currently listed as homeless in Georgia court records.
This tragic case has shocked the community, with many left struggling to comprehend the brutal death of a young child at the hands of his own mother. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on bringing justice for Zemar and holding Pierce accountable for her actions.